NOVEMBER 20, 2006
6:30 P.M.
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Members presents: John Ahlgren, Janice Rosa, Susan Levy, Lionel Labonte, and Herbert Dalrymple
Town Staff present: Al Dixon, Town Administrator, Diane Hardy, Town Planner, and Clay Mitchcll, former Town Planner
Others present: Brian DeVellis, land consultant, and George Conway of Conway Development Company.
Chair Dalrymple called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Chair Dalrymple asked for a motion to accept the minutes of the November 6, 2006 meeting, even though it was not listed as an agenda item. Chair Dalrymple indicated that since the main item of discussion for tonight’s meeting was reconsideration of the vote taken at the November 6th meeting it would be in order to act on those minutes prior to reconsideration of the vote.
Lionel Labonte made a motion to accept the minutes as presented for the November 6, 2006 meeting. The motion was seconded by Susan Levy.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item #1. Reconsideration of November 6 vote on the Conway proposal.
At the November 6, 2006 meeting an affirmative vote was taken on the following motion:
“A motion made by Lionel Labonte and seconded by Susan Levy to recommend to the Town Council to consider changing the zoning to allow the proposed Conway project to go forward; and request the Planning Board to propose amendments based on the proposed zoning amendment developed by Clay Mitchell (see attachment).
Chair Dalrymple asked for a motion to reconsider.
Susan Levy moved to reconsider the above referenced motion and vote taken at the November 6, 2006 Black Bear TIF meeting. The Chair asked for a second to the motion.
After several minutes, Chair Dalrymple provided a second to the motion.
A brief discussion followed. Chair Dalrymple called for a vote on the motion to reconsider.
John Ahlgren yea Janice Rosa abstained
Lionel Labonte nay Susan Levy yea Herbert Dalrymple yea
*motion to reconsider passed, three in favor, one abstention, and one nay vote.
Susan Levy made the following motion:
To recommend the Town Council to consider changing the zoning to allow the proposed Conway project to go forward; and request the Planning Board to propose amendments based on the proposed zoning amendment developed by Clay Mitchell (see attachment).
Motion was seconded by Janice Rosa.
Chair Dalrymple recognized former Town Planner, Clay Mitchell.
Clay, again, reviewed for the Committee the results of his research as follows:
a. Previous efforts of Proulx Oil to develop their business in the Black Bear TIF.
Problems associated with development of the Black Bear TIF related to access and other infrastructure needs, referring to them as “hurdles”, which needed to be overcome before development could happen.
His research involving the Bennett Way apartments. He cited these units as large contributors to the costs associated with supporting the Town’s social overhead. He cited that they only generated one student to our schools for every 11 units.
His findings related to a project in Stratham that was developed by Conway Development and is similar to the Newmarket proposal (Glengarry on Depot Road). Clay cited a very low student/resident ratio of one student per 114 units. The residents are young professionals, empty nesters and divorcees without children.
His opinion that residential development is the only use that is viable given the current market and economics. His research supported that position.
After an in-depth discussion, John Ahlgren moved to amend the main motion to recommend to the Town Council that they consider an overlay district to be formed to allow this project and keep the existing underlying zoning in place to provide future options for industrial and commercial development.
The motion was seconded by Lionel Labonte.
The Chair called for a vote on motion to amend.
John Ahlgren yea Lionel Labonte yea Janice Rosa yea Susan Levy nay
Herbert Dalrymple yea
The amendment carried four in favor, one opposed.
The Chair called for a vote on the main motion as amended.
John Ahlgren yea Lionel Labonte yea Janice Rosa yea
Susan Levy nay Herbert Dalrymple yea
The motion, as amended, carried four in favor, one opposed.
Lionel Labonte made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm. Seconded by Janice Rosa.
All members presented voted in favor of the motion to adjourn.
